The hospital is one of only 12 companies in the U.S. to receive the prestigious award. The only initiative of its kind, "Best Companies for Hourly Workers" celebrates employers across all industries that provide family-friendly benefits that promote health/wellness, education, flexibility and work-life balance.

"One of the key elements to successful patient-and family-centered care is creating a work environment that allows staff to focus on work when at work, and on home when at home," says Donna Katen-Bahensky, President and CEO. "This award demonstrates we are going down the correct path."

Working Mother applauded UW Hospital and Clinics - the only company in Wisconsin to earn the award - for developing programs that help working parents achieve their professional goals while encouraging a dynamic work-life culture. The hospital was given high marks for its programs and policies concerning:

Paid time off and leaves

Access to flexible work arrangements

Wellness program

Family-friendly benefits, such as adult, child and elder back-up care

Job-skills and career-advancement training

Companies named to the "Best Companies for Hourly Workers" list must employ a workforce of at least 50 percent hourly workers. Seventy-four percent of UW Hospital and Clinics' workforce is comprised of hourly workers.

"Hourly workers make up nearly three-quarters of our workforce, and their contributions to the hospital are extremely valuable," says Janice Bultema, senior vice president, human resources. "Receiving this award from Working Mother for the third year in a row emphasizes how much we value employees, how much we invest in programs to retain talented employees, and how investing in employees supports the top-notch patient and family-centered care we provide."

UW Hospital and Clinics has also been named to Working Mother's "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" list since 2007. In 2011, the hospital was also recognized as one of the nation's top 10 companies for employees' children.